Castell de Cardona
Castell de Cardona things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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During our motorcycle tour across Europe, my husband and I made a stop at Castell de Cardona, an ancient castle fortress in Spain. Having visited other medieval fortresses like Carcassonne in France, we were eager to explore Cardona's historic site and had high expectations. However, we were met with a surprising and significant disappointment: the fortress was closed, despite our arrival during the hours listed on their website. This unexpected closure meant we couldn't explore the interior or learn more about its history firsthand. Adding to the letdown, the hotel located within the fortress was under reconstruction, with ongoing repair work making it inaccessible. On a positive note, we managed to climb to the observation deck. The view from there was breathtaking and worth the climb, offering a panoramic perspective of the surrounding landscape. The serenity of the place, as we were almost alone, provided a peaceful and reflective moment amid our journey. The town of Cardona itself is quite small, and we were able to see everything rather quickly. While the fortress and the town have their charms, they don't offer enough to justify a trip solely for this destination. If Castell de Cardona is a part of a larger travel itinerary, it can be a nice stop, but I wouldn't recommend going out of your way just to visit this fortress.
Olha MalikOlha Malik
00
Cardona’s Castle is a magnificent fortress,50 minutes driving from Barcelona founded in the IX Century. This maravellous construction has never been defeated. The Castle use to be the family home of the Duque of Cardona. This aristocratic family run the salt mountain and mine located 500m from the Castle untill the beguining of XXth Century. At the feet of the Castle we’ll find the middle ages town of Cardona in wich there is a beatiful gothic Church with interesting paintings and cript at the inside. If you go to Cardona There is a cozy place to sleep with the beautifull views of the castle: is the Bremón Hotel, located in the middle of the town. Everything there is authentic and preserves the atmosphere of old times. If you stay a few days un Barcelona don’t miss it!🤗
Monia Buxaderas (Bestprivatetourbarcelona)Monia Buxaderas (Bestprivatetourbarcelona)
10
Remember no lifts and no porter service, so pack light and get to the entrance by car/taxi. When leaving the castle, we booked a taxi to get down to the bus stand and then took the bus to our next destination (luggage in tow). Bus details are mostly on Google and the bus stand. The castle was beautiful. Some parts are around 1000 years old and you can see amazing doors all around it. Some places are restricted for safety reasons. The food is pretty good there. The place is well maintained and the front desk knows English so it's pretty easy to navigate and understand your surroundings in case of doubt. They have a sauna and gym which they book for you for an hour as per your convenience. Check the temperature on Google before visiting.
CINDY DSILVACINDY DSILVA
20
We stayed in the castle, everything was great. If you arrive by bus like we did you'll have to carry your luggage up quite a distance up maybe 7 stories to get to reception, but people arriving by car can drive up basically all the way. The room are nice and the beds are comfortable. They didn't tell us that you have to insert your room key in a little white box near the door to get electricity in your room, so we had to go back and ask why our lights didn't work. The restaurant was tasty but overpriced in our opinion. If you don't have a rental car don't expect there to be much to do, I'd stay 2 nights max.
Tyler EhningerTyler Ehninger
40
El Castillo de Cardona, la fortaleza jamás vencida y último baluarte de las libertades catalanas, fue la sede del poderoso linaje de los condes-duques de Cardona, conocidos como “los reyes sin corona”. Estos ricos señores de la sal estaban emparentados con las principales familias europeas, lo que añade aún más historia y grandeza a este lugar. Alrededor de la riqueza que proporcionaba la sal y del estratégico cruce de caminos, surgió una villa medieval gobernada por mercaderes y arrieros, quienes construyeron el hermoso centro histórico de Cardona, hoy declarado bien cultural de interés nacional. Actualmente, Cardona, ubicada en un entorno natural privilegiado, avanza hacia su transformación en una Villa Saludable, un lugar ideal tanto para residentes como para visitantes. El Castillo de Cardona fue también uno de los escenarios principales del rodaje de la película “Campanadas a medianoche” del cineasta estadounidense Orson Welles. Durante 15 días del otoño de 1964, la villa de Cardona y su castillo acogieron al equipo de filmación, con Welles a la cabeza, y un reparto de grandes estrellas internacionales como John Gielgud, Jeanne Moreau, Marina Vlady, Keith Baxter y Fernando Rey. Ahora, el Castillo de Cardona ofrece una nueva visita temática sobre el rodaje de la película de Orson Welles. Bajo el título «Orson Welles y el Castillo de Cardona: una visita de película», los visitantes pueden recorrer los principales escenarios del rodaje. El patio ducal, el claustro y, sobre todo, la colegiata de Sant Vicenç son los espacios más destacados, permitiendo a los visitantes apreciar el gran talento de Welles para crear ambientes y convertir al castillo en un protagonista más de su película.
Ángel BigorraÁngel Bigorra
00
Como amigo de Paradores, toda una experiencia el haberme hospedado tres días en el Parador ubicado en el interior del Castillo. El castillo es de una gran extensión, en su interior como he comentado se encuentra el Parador Nacional. Fue construido en el año 886 por Wilfredo el Velloso, a los largo de estos siglos ha sufrido ampliaciones y remodelaciones. Destacar el claustro gótico del S. XIV, la sala dorada, la sala de los entresuelos, el patio del S. XIV, la capilla de San Ramón Nonato del S. XVII, la torre circulada llamada “de la Doncella” de estilo románico y la colegiata de San Vicente. Todo este conjunto está rodeado por dos murallas, la más exterior o cercana a la localidad es del S. XVII. En los días hospedados aproveche para recorrerme todas las estancias del castillo así como el exterior, recorriéndo todos los baluartes o bastiones, la Casamata, el edificio del cuerpo de guardia, etc.. Del interior del Castillo pocas cosas deje por ver solamente no pude acceder a la Colegiata de San Vicente, estuvo cerrado todos los días que estuve hospedado en el Parador, solamente pude fotografiar el exterior. Aparte este castillo tiene la leyenda que fue desde el S. XI hasta el XV, el núcleo residencial de los señores de Cardona conocidos como “los reyes sin corona”. En la entrada del castillo se encuentra la Oficina de atención al visitante del Castillo. Se ofrece la posibilidad de recorrer la fortaleza moderna y las partes del viejo castillo condal. No se puede acceder a lo que son las dependencias del Parador. Sin duda alguna un lugar que hay que visitar, disfrutar con la visita y llevarse fotos de recuerdo.
Lluis Higini Melero PerisLluis Higini Melero Peris
60
Nearby Attractions Of Castell de Cardona
Torre de la Minyona
Iglesia Parroquial de San Miguel
Colegiata de San Vicente

Torre de la Minyona
4.6
(61)Click for details

Iglesia Parroquial de San Miguel
4.1
(51)Click for details

Colegiata de San Vicente
4.8
(22)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Castell de Cardona
La Volta del Rector
La Bauma
Restaurant Cal Borrasca
Firabar Cardona
Restaurant El Centru
Can jeff
Flequers de Cardona (Forn Escasany)
Punt Zero
vacio
Bar Avenida

La Volta del Rector
4.6
(770)Click for details

La Bauma
4.0
(653)Click for details

Restaurant Cal Borrasca
4.6
(384)Click for details

Firabar Cardona
3.9
(415)Click for details
Basic Info
Address
Lloc Parador Nacional Turisme, 506, 08261 Cardona, Barcelona, Spain
Map
Phone
+34 938 68 41 69
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Website
patrimoni.gencat.cat
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Reviews
Overview
4.6
(3K reviews)
Ratings & Description
cultural
outdoor
family friendly
Description
The Castle of Cardona is a medieval fortress in Catalonia, Spain. Situated on a hill overlooking the river valley of the Cardener and the town of Cardona. The fortress was initially constructed by Wilfred the Hairy in 886; it is now a hotel belonging to the Paradores chain.
attractions: Torre de la Minyona, Iglesia Parroquial de San Miguel, Colegiata de San Vicente, restaurants: La Volta del Rector, La Bauma, Restaurant Cal Borrasca, Firabar Cardona, Restaurant El Centru, Can jeff, Flequers de Cardona (Forn Escasany), Punt Zero, vacio, Bar Avenida

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